Biobased Biodegradable Waterborne Hyperbranched Polyurethane as an Ecofriendly Sustainable Material

Abstract

Research thrust to address the problems confronting the use of conventional polymers like high volatile organic compound (VOC) content still remains a challenge. In this context, the authors report the synthesis of a sustainable and biodegradable waterborne hyperbranched polyurethane (WHPU) using polyphenolic tannic acid in lieu of vegetable oil as the biobased component. The chemical structure of WHPU was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. An UV–visible peak at the wavelength of 282 nm confirmed the presence of catechol moiety in WHPU. WHPU exhibited pronounced thermostability and desirable performance (tensile strength, 6.87 MPa; elongation at break, 315%; scratch hardness, 5.5 kg for 15 wt % tannic acid based WHPU). The radical scavenging and hemolytic assays of WHPU showed their potent antioxidant activity and cytocompatibility with the erythrocytes, respectively. Furthermore, WHPU exhibited bacterial degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the above results forward the synthesized WHPU as a potent ecofriendly and sustainable polymeric material by a simple approach that possesses a higher degree of sustainability over a purely petrochemical route.